Things To Do In Philadelphia ~ First Fridays, Free Museums, Shopping and More!

Things To Do In Philadelphia

‘The Festivals Are In Full Bloom in Philly!’

The weather already feels so much different than it did the last few months. The birds are chirping, the sun feels warmer and we know that we can start to get excited about the many kinds of festivals in the city from now until October.

The weekend kicks off with First Fridays in Old City and in Manayunk, the Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, PHAIR Open Air Market, Free yoga and ends on Sunday with a magic show, free admission to several museums and the Fairmount Arts Crawl.

In upcoming weeks, get ready for the Manyunk StrEAT Food Festival, Manayunk Restaurant Week, the Center City Jazz Festival, Mainline Restaurant Week, Easter Egg Hunts, the Philadelphia Science Festival, Flavors of the Avenue in East Passyunk, the Philly Zombie Crawl, the Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta and much more.

What event or activity this weekend or during the week excites you the most? Please share with us in the comments below.

No matter what tickles your fancy, we have a lot events and attractions for you below. Are you a fan of our facebook fan page. Follow us here for exciting daily updates! MyPhillyAlive on Facebook –

Here at MyPhillyAlive, we like to share fun and exciting events and attractions with you. Check out what’s happening for you this weekend in Philly and for the upcoming week and put these events on your calendar.

Things To Do In Philadelphia this Weekend & Week of  ~ April 4 – 10 ~

FYI – There are many events & attractions listed below that have been open prior today which are listed as “Now”.

  • Our Guide to All Museums in Philadelphia ~ Visit many wonderful museums in Philly. ~ Philadelphia Museums ~
  • Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of April ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for April 2014 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
  • Jazz Appreciation Month in Philadelphia ~ Month of April ~ Check out the many Jazz events & specials taking place throughout the City of Brotherly Love in the month of April regarding Jazz Appreciation month!  ~ Jazz Appreciation Month in Philadelphia ~
  • Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival ~ Now until April 13 ~  The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia brings culinary events and classes, martial arts demonstrations, live music, workshops, film screenings, dance performances and more; all of which promote Japanese culture. 楽しむ (enjoy) and 幸せな桜 (happy Cherry Blossoms) ~ Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival ~
  • Art After 5 ~ April 4 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm.  Cosmo Baker – One of the top party DJs, Cosmo Baker brings hip-hop, disco, soul, rock, reggae, and electronic music together in a cohesive and funky way. This Philadelphia native cut his teeth alongside contemporaries Questlove of The Roots and Rich Medina, and helped found the DJ/remix collective The Rub in Brooklyn. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
  • First Friday’s in Old CityApril 4 ~ Your chance to visit Art Galleries throughout Old City after normal hours. You will be able to talk to the art directors and possibly some of Philadelphia’s local artists. This also takes place as First Saturdays with select Art Galleries extending out to Fishtown. ~ First Fridays ~
  • First Friday’s in Manayunk ~ April 4 ~ Come enjoy art in Manayunk. Before or afterwards, enjoy a meal at the many restaurants, or stop in one of Manayunk’s wonderful specialty shops. ~ First Friday’s in Manayunk ~
  • Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ April 4 ~ At 8:30 pm, enjoy Friday Night Mentalism! A Deadly Game of Chance. International entertainer Lucas Simmons has come to Philadelphia and he brought his unique style of mentalism with him! ~ Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~
  • Dear Diary, Bye ~ April 4, 5, 6, 9, – 13 ~  This play is written, directed, performed and stage managed by all South Philly residents. The play is based on Ellie Brown’s 4th grade diary from 1984. It features school yard scrapping, a boy crazy tale, family troubles and sweet misunderstandings of adult concepts. It’s a comedic and family friendly piece.  Come help support a South Philly community. ~ Dear Diary, Bye ~
  • International Day of the Child ~ April 5 ~ From 9 am to 5 pm, kids head on over to the Please Touch Museum for music, crafts, dance, soccer clinic & much more. ~ International Day of the Child at Please Touch Museum ~
  • PHAIR Open Air Market ~ April 5 ~  From 10 am to 5 pm at the Shambles in the South Street Headhouse District, come enjoy shopping. Find locally-made items such as jewelry, pottery, photography prints, clothing, home decor and much more. There will food as well & some Philly food trucks. ~ PHAIR Open Air Market at the Shambles in Headhouse District ~
  • Easter Egg Hunt ~ April 5 ~ Free – From 11 am to 2 pm, stop on over to East Passyunk and bring your family and celebrate Easter with a free egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny and spring brunch.  ~ Easter Egg Hunt on East Passyunk Ave ~
  • Philly Free School – PFS ~ April 5 ~ Free – It’s the Second Annual International Tabletop Day! PFS is hosting an all-ages public gaming event from 1 pm to 8 pm. Their largest room will be open and full of tables for games– from Scrabble and Connect Four to Magic and Munchkin. Requested donation at the door of $2-10 to benefit the school, with no one turned away for inability to pay. Refreshments will be available. ~ International Tabletop Day Info & RSVP ~ ~ Philly Free School – PFS ~
  • Free Yoga at Schuylkill Banks ~ April 5 & 6 ~ Starting at 11 am, near 25th and Locust streets along the Schuylkill Banks, enjoy free yoga with instructors from Dhyana Yoga. Just bring a yoga mat and be ready to stretch out. ~ Free Yoga at Schuylkill Banks ~
  • Colonial for a Day ~ April 5 & 6 ~ Kids can now rent Colonial-themed costumes and immerse themselves in their Historic Philadelphia adventure with the *Brand New* Colonial for a Day costume program! Costumes are available exclusively at the Historic Philadelphia Center at 6th & Chestnut Streets. ~ Colonial for a Day ~
  • Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~ April 5 & 9 ~ Starts at 10 am every Wed & Sat – Learn the story behind cheese steaks, hoagies, pretzels and other Philly food favorites, and the 115-year history of the vibrant Reading Terminal Market where they’re sold during this 75-minute, food-writer-led walking tour. ~ Taste of Philadelphia: Market Tours ~
  • FREE Admission Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts ~ April 6 ~ From 10 am to 5 pm, enjoy the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for free. ~ Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Free Sundays ~
  • First Sundays at Barnes Foundation ~ April 6 ~ FREE – On the first Sunday of every month, visitors to the Barnes Foundation will enjoy free admission, family entertainment and informative seminars from 10 am to 6 pm. Free tickets can be obtained at the Barnes Foundation beginning at 9 am. Advance reservations are not available for Free First Sundays. ~ First Sunday’s at Barnes Foundation ~
  • Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~ April 6 ~ At 1:30 pm, enjoy Family Fun Magic Show. Music, dancing, laughing and amazement. Tons of audience participation… you’re gonna love it. The show stars the one and only Mr. Messado!! ~ Magic Shows at South Street Magic ~
  • Free Yoga at Race Street Pier ~ April 6 until August 31 ~ From 9 am to 10 am, every day except Wednesdays, head to Race Street Pier for free yoga with instructors from Dhyana Yoga. Just bring a yoga mat and be ready to stretch out. ~ Free Yoga at Race Street Pier ~
  • Fairmount Arts Crawl ~ April 6 ~ FREE – The festival will include numerous indoor art exhibits, live music performance locations with local singer-songwriters, live art demonstrations and lots of delicious food and drink at several Fairmount establishments. ~ Fairmount Arts Crawl ~
  • Pay As You Wish ~ April 6 ~ First Sunday’s of the month. Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections. ~ Pay What You Wish ~
  • Pay As You Wish ~ April 9 ~ Stop in at the Philadelphia Museum of Art every Wednesday from 5 pm – 8:45 pm and ”Pay What You Wish”,  as you explore the museum and its remarkable collections.  ~ Pay What You Wish ~
  • Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~ Open Now ~ Stop over at Penn Museum in University City and learn about contemporary issues in Native America. Uncover the rich history and identity of the Native American people through 200 plus objects on display & much more. ~ Native American Voices Exhibit at Penn Museum ~
  • Franklin Square ~ Now Open for 2014 ~ Franklin Square has many things to do for the kids and with upcoming events! ~ Franklin Square ~
  • Ride The Ducks ~ Now Open for the 2014 Season ~ The 70 minute amphibious (land and water) sightseeing tour takes you through the heart of Philadelphia’s Historic District and then on a relaxing cruise along the Penn’s Landing waterfront. Monday – Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Reservations, made 24 hrs in advance, must be made with Ride Ducks by calling 877-887-8225, or by visiting the Ride the Ducks kiosk inside the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets. ~ Ride The Ducks ~
  • March Madness ~ Now until April 7 ~ Spring is here! Who has the fever of March Madness! Check out our list of sports bars in Philly and their specials throughout the NCAA tournament.  ~ March Madness Sports Bars in Philly ~
  • Beyond the Paint: Philadelphia’s Mural Arts ~ Now until April 6, 2014 ~ The Mural Arts Program will be celebrating it’s 30th anniversary in 2014 and this exhibit showcases the cumulative work of 30 years of community engaged art-making in Philadelphia. Beyond the Paint will present archival and documentary material, including timeline-based information, interactive material, and images that are enlivened by the creation of new murals within the gallery space. FREE admission on Sunday’s. ~ Beyond the Paint: Philadelphia’s Mural Arts ~
  • One Day in Pompeii ~ Now until April 27, 2014 ~  Here is your chance to experience Pompeii held at The Franklin Institute. Explore 150 plus archaeological treasures, feel the floors shake and the walls rumble as you relive the volcano’s catastrophic eruption and witness the devastation left in its path. ~ One Day in Pompeii at The Franklin Institute ~
  • Gortex Philadelphia Marathon Registration ~ Now until end of May ~ Register for 4 different types of races, such as the marathon or half marathon, for November 22 & 23. ~ Register for Gortex Philadelphia Marathon ~ Gortex Philadelphia Marathon Info ~
  • The Artifact Lab – Mummy Conversation at Penn Museum ~ Now until (no date set) ~ Here is your chance to get up close and personal. Watch conservators clean, examine, & preserve Egyptian Mummies at Penn Museum. Best of all, there are special times during the week to where you can ask them questions in person. ~ Conserving Mummies at Penn Museum ~
  • Special Information! – Do you know that Philadelphia has its own slide? Yes, the Philly Slide. With Jaye Moore & Tony Luke Jr, to help support Little Kids Rock. Check it out. ~ The Philly Slide ~

Come Back later this afternoon or evening for more things added to the Philly to do list!

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Visiting Philadelphia

Are you Visiting Philadelphia? Have you lived in or near the City of Philadelphia, but never ventured out too the many historical sites in Philly? Here is a quick guide for some must see attractions in the City of Brotherly Love.

  • The Independence Visitor’s Center – Your guide for all of your information relating to historical sites in Philadelphia and other things to do in Philadelphia. ~ Independence Visitor’s Center ~
  • Philadelphia Zoo ~ With the warmer weather approaching, you can not miss America’s Oldest Zoo. 42 acres of awesomeness and over 1,000 animals. ~ Philadelphia Z00 ~
  • Liberty Bell – Symbol of American Independence – If you are visiting Philadelphia, this is one site that must be seen. ~ Liberty Bell ~
  • Elfreth’s Alley ~ Get to walk down a street with 300 years of history. Elfreth’s Alley is one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in America. ~ Elfreth’s Alley ~
  • Philadelphia City Hall ~ Like Architecture? Philadelphia History? They give tours of the Philadelphia City Hall. If you go up high enough, you get to see the whole city. ~ Philadelphia City Hall ~
  • Philadelphia Museum of Art – So many things that surround this museum. The “Rocky” Steps or the “Rocky” statue. A great view down Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Behind the museum, you can view Boat House Row and a few other things. ~ Philadelphia Museum of Art ~
  • Betsy Ross House – Did Betsy Ross actually make the American Flag? Learn about some of Philadelphia’s earliest history. ~ Betsy Ross House ~
  • Independence Hall – This is where the Declaration of Independence was adopted and where the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. ~ Independence Hall~
  • National Constitution Center – If anything, you must see the ‘We the People’ exhibit. There are other timely exhibits. ~ National Constitution Center ~
  • Philadelphia Parks – Such as Fairmount Park or even Franklin Square for the kids or relaxing.

Those visiting who need a good tour company to show you around the City of Philadelphia, the historical sites, and much more, please ask us in the comments below, Tweet us at @MyPhillyAlive or ask us on our Facebook Page. ~ If you feel like walking instead, check out Free and Friendly Tours. Click Here for more info.

Upcoming Events & Attractions in Philadelphia

  • Art After 5 ~ April 11 ~ Free with admission, from 5 pm to 8:45 pm.  Center City Jazz Festival Presents: A Great Night in Philadelphia – Ernest Stuart, trombonist and founder of the Center City Jazz Festival, will be joined by the brightest stars in the Philadelphia jazz scene for what promises to be an unforgettable überjam featuring several festival alumni. Held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the Great Stair Hall. ~ Art After 5 ~
  • Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival ~ April 12 ~ Come enjoy spring themed foods, Manayunk restaurants, Philly food trucks, shopping, live music & much more. ~ Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival ~
  • Manayunk Restaurant Week ~ April 13 – 25 ~ Here is your chance to enjoy good foods in Manayunk for discounted prices. ~ Manayunk Restaurant Week ~
  • Center City Jazz Festival ~ April 19 ~ From 1 pm to 7 pm, attendees can expect a jam-packed schedule of 16 bands performing at four venues over six hours, all within walking distance of each other in the heart of Center City. One ticket provides access to all performances. The four venues are Chris’ Jazz CafeFergies Pub, Milk Boy & Time Restaurant.  ~ Center City Jazz Festival ~ ~ Tix to Center City Jazz Festival ~
  • Philadelphia Science Festival ~ April 25 – May 3 ~ 9 days of over 100 events. More to come soon. ~ Philadelphia Science Festival ~
  • Flavors of the Avenue in East Passyunk ~ April 26 ~ More info to come soon. ~ Flavors of the Avenue in East Passyunk
  • Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours ~ Month of May ~ Come check out the many Mural Arts tours throughout Philadelphia. ~ Philadelphia Mural Arts Tours for May 2014 ~ or 215-925-3633. ~ About Philadelphia Mural Arts ~
  • Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta ~ May 9 & 10 ~ This event is the largest collegiate rowing event in the United States and has become a Philadelphia tradition for decades. ~ Aberdeen Dad Vail Regatta ~
  • Susan G. Komen Philadelphia® Run/Walk Event ~ May 11 ~ More info to follow. ~ Susan G. Komen Philadelphia® Run/Walk Event ~
  • The Preakness at The Piazza ~ May 17 ~ A fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis. Come watch the race at the Piazza at Schmidt’s while enjoying good food & drinks. And don’t forget to wear you fancy hats, pretty dresses, loud pants and fancy bows.  ~ The Preakness at The Piazza ~

As always, no matter if you are visiting Philadelphia or live in the City of Philadelphia, we hope our list of things to do in Philadelphia helps you out.

If you have stumbled upon something else that we did not mention, please let us know in a comment or in an e-mail. If you are a business or organization that has an event coming up, please contact us. MyPhillyAlive

If you happened to visit any of the things mentioned above, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment here or on that article describing what you liked about that event or attraction. As always, we would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks, MyPhillyAlive

Philadelphia Weather for the weekend of April 4 – 6

 

Friday  |  40% Rain  |  High 49°  | Low 47°

Saturday  |  Partly Cloudy  |  High 57° | Low 35°

Sunday  | Mostly Sunny  |  High 61°  |  Low 39°

Disclaimer : This blog post is a weekly update of things to do in Philadelphia. Please check the date above, when such article was posted. If an earlier date appears above, just go to this link for current events and attractions in Philadelphia. ~ Click : Things to do in Philadelphia ~

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